Dolgopolov, Duckworth open 2012 with wins

BRISBANE, Australia, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Third-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov and James Duckworth won in straight sets Sunday, the opening day of the Brisbane International in Australia.

The Brisbane International, with its Sunday start, is the first tournament on the ATP schedule to begin play in 2012, although events in Chennai, India, and Doha, Qatar, open Monday.

Dolgopolov posted five service breaks in a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 victory over Alejandro Falla in first-round play in Brisbane. He won more than half (30-28) of the points off Falla's serve.

Duckworth took out Nicolas Mahut 6-4, 6-4 behind a pair of breaks in each set. Duckworth lost his own serve twice but still won 71 percent of the points on serve.